I started my visit to the Barnes Wetland Centre by heading to the southern part of the reserve
On the way I passed some lovely fluffy Cardoon seed heads
A male Common Darter dragonfly was perching on a leaf
I saw a male Wigeon from one of the bird hides on the south side
and a pair of Gadwalls
I then went to the other side of the wetlands where I saw a pair of American Wood ducks - part of the wildfowl collection
A free-flying Grey Heron was trying to eat a frog
The following photos are of some of the other exotic birds kept at Barnes:
Group of Chiloe Wigeon
White-faced Whistling ducks - don't know the name of the other ducks
Three Cape Teal
Beautiful White Storks
After leaving the wildfowl collection, I saw a dainty Willow Emerald damselfly resting on a leaf
A Magpie joined me for lunch on a nearby bench
Then, on the way out of that side of the wetlands, I saw a Cape Barren goose
On the way back to the south side of the wetlands, I passed some lovely Autumn berries
First time I have photographed green Rose-ringed Parakeets from above
I was on the top floor of the Peacock hide
Snipe standing at the edge of the lagoon
The light was fading by now - Three Northern Shovelers in the water and two Snipe in the background
Two more Northern Shovelers swimming across the lagoon
An orderly row of juvenile Cygnets - even without their parents there to guide them!
The highlight of the day was a Bittern in the far away reeds
Unfortunately my bridge camera could not do it justice!
